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WASHINGTON — Outgoing IRS Commissioner Steve Miller defended himself and the federal tax agency under intense grilling from House lawmakers Friday, saying the IRS’ targeting of conservative groups was not politically motivated but rather “foolish mistakes” made by “people trying to be efficient.”

Miller told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that he did not “mislead” Congress, even though he and other top IRS officials failed to tell lawmakers that IRS workers in Cincinnati had flagged tax-exempt applications from tea party groups for special scrutiny.

“I answered all questions truthfully,” Miller said.

The line of questioning quickly divided along partisan lines, with Republicans trying to wrap the White House up in the scandal and Democrats trying to distance themselves—and their president—from involvement.

During the highly charged hearing, no new evidence emerged signaling that top IRS officials were involved with developing or implementing the inappropriate criteria used to single out groups with “tea party,” “patriot,” or “9/12” in their names.

Starting in May 2010, “a team of IRS specialists in Cincinnati, Ohio, referred to as the Determinations Unit, selected 298 cases” for special scrutiny, J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, told lawmakers. His office conducted an audit that detailed the improper flagging of conservative groups.

Even after being told to revamp the criteria and to stop focusing on groups with tea party affiliations, “Cincinnati staff changed the criteria back again to target organizations with specific policy positions,” George told lawmakers.

Republicans in particular grew increasingly frustrated with Miller, who answered many questions with vague responses and who said he could not say who first instigated the targeting.

“I don’t have names for you,” Miller said in response to a question from Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas.

“You’re telling us you have no knowing of who initiated or who approved of this targeting,” Brady responded.

Miller said he stood by the IG audit, which didn’t include specific names of IRS workers.